L+M Hospital strike begins as contract talks end

NEW LONDON (AP) — Nurses and other caregivers are on strike and set up a picket line outside Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London after the company and union representing 800 workers failed to agree on a new contract.

Picket lines formed early this morning as the union, AFT Connecticut, accused hospital negotiators of refusing to continue talks.

The hospital says the disagreement is because of what it calls the union’s “unyielding demand” for 100 percent job security. The hospital says such a demand is unrealistic because of changes in the health care industry.

The union accuses the hospital of transferring work to affiliates that are non-union.

Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy sided with the union.

Malloy, a Democrat, said Tuesday that while it takes two to negotiate, L+M has shown no desire to reach consensus.